Woodville Lions' 25th Coast to Coast fundraiser roaring success

Clive Boyden, right, leads the 350 motorcyles into Woodville on Saturday, halfway through the Woodville Lions' Coast to Coast event. Photo/Christine McKay

It was an emotional moment for Clive Boyden as he rode his Honda Shadow 750 at the front of 350 other bikers to lead the 25th Woodville Lions Suzuki Coast to Coast into Woodville on Saturday.

Mr Boyden conceived the ride in 1992, and it is a major fundraiser for the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter, with more than $180,000 raised before last weekend's ride.

"It was quite a thrill and I don't know where 25 years has gone," Mr Boyden said.

"To see all those bikes behind you in the rear-vision mirror is quite something.

"I never, ever thought this event would endure for 25 years, but it seems to be the cause, our rescue helicopter, which tugs on people's hearts."

This year was also a special moment for Mr Boyden with his two sons, Grant and Craig joining him for the 200km ride.

"I think they were minders for me," he said.

At the start of the journey at Himatangi Beach there was a presentation to the four riders who had taken part in all events to date, Grant McRae, Trevor Ward, Lynn Southee and Lynette Hancock.

Mrs Hancock used to ride with her husband, but when he passed away she bought her own bike to continue the tradition.

But although Diane and Errol Brown from Levin have been riding since they were engaged - they've been married 52 years - Saturday was their first time on the Coast to Coast.

The couple were riding Diane's new Can Am Spyder, which she acquired in June.

"Our kids think we're absolutely bonkers, but there are a lot of older riders out there," Diane said.

The couple were full of praise for the organisers of the Coast to Coast, impressed that police were in control of every major intersection from Himatangi to Woodville.

Mr Boyden said the police had been "absolutely outstanding", stopping traffic at six points during the ride, allowing the bikers to round corners and intersections in a bunch.

"There's huge logistics involved in this event and there's a big sigh of relief when the day is over safely," he said.